Za’Darius Smith, the defensive end everyone thought was headed to the Cleveland Browns, just pulled a fast one, working out with the Atlanta Falcons instead. This isn’t just a minor update; it’s a gut punch for Browns fans who were already making roster space for him.
Cleveland Thought They Had Their Guy
It was only Sunday when Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com dropped a report suggesting the Browns were expected to sign Smith. He’d even already had a tryout with the team! Everyone in Cleveland seemed to be counting on him bolstering their defensive line. You can bet fans were already imagining him disrupting backfields and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. It felt like a done deal, a solid pick-up for a team looking to beef up their pass rush.
Atlanta Swoops In With a Twist
But hold up. Monday brought a completely different story. Daniel Flick of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Smith was actually working out with the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are openly “looking for external help” at defensive end, and it seems they decided to make their play for Smith right as Cleveland thought they had him locked down. Talk about throwing a wrench in the plans! This move by Smith completely changes the narrative around his free agency and leaves the Browns looking like they got ghosted.
So, what happens now? The Browns clearly thought they had their man, only for the Falcons to enter the picture. All eyes are on Za’Darius Smith to see where he ultimately decides to sign. This free agency drama is far from over, and it’s certainly keeping us on the edge of our seats!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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